How to clean and stain a wood deck

How to clean and stain a pine, cedar or redwood deck with Messmer’s Wood and Deck Cleaner and Messmer’s UV Plus

Exterior wood decks made of redwood, cedar or pine can be a beautiful addition to your home, but they require maintenance to look their best. The good news is that it’s easy to do and doesn’t take much time. Read on to learn how to clean and stain a wood deck with Messmer’s UV Plus.

Do not begin until you have read and understand all instructions. If you have questions, call us toll free at 1-800-731-3669, weekdays 8-5 Mountain time. Do not apply if rain is expected within 48 hours. In certain climates you may have to wait for a different time of year to do this. We recommend doing a small test area on your project to insure your satisfaction with color choice and appearance before proceeding with the entire job.

Clean the deck, and brighten if necessary:
Sweep excess debris (dirt and leaves) off the deck. Clean the deck with Messmer’s Wood & Deck Cleaner (Part A), or another high quality wood cleaner of your choice, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. For redwood and some cedars, use Messmer’s Wood and Deck Brightener (Part B) to remove tannin stains, which are dark discolorations from natural extractives in the wood. Rinse thoroughly after brightening with the Wood & Deck Brightener.

Make sure the deck surface is clean, dry and in good condition. You may need to wait a few days for the wood to completely dry depending on weather conditions. Cover plants, grass, concrete, trim, and any other areas you don’t want stained.

Apply the deck stain:
Stir product thoroughly. Make sure that all pigment is mixed evenly into the stain. Apply one coat of UV Plus following label directions. Work with the grain. After 30 minutes, brush or roll out any excess product puddled or pooled on the surface of the deck. If excess product is not removed, sticky, shiny spots may remain on the surface.

Clean-up:
Following label directions, dispose of waste including roller covers and brushes in a water filled container. Seal the container and dispose of it properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will the product last?
A: Typically UV Plus needs to be reapplied every one to three years. The length of time will vary depending on the wood used, the way the deck is constructed, which direction it faces, and your local climate and sun intensity.

Q: How can I avoid shiny, sticky areas after application?
A: Be sure to wipe up any excess product about 30 minutes after application. UV Plus is a high solids product, and if overapplied it will not just evaporate away. It is designed to be a penetrating finish and does not dry properly if overapplied to the surface.

Q: Why is it important to clean before applying UV Plus to a deck?
A: If you apply UV Plus to a dirty surface, the wood will turn dark and dingy. The oils and resins in the UV Plus will entrap the dirt and make it impossible to clean. By cleaning the wood with a good quality wood cleaner like Messmer’s Wood and Deck Part A, or Wood and Deck Liquid, you are properly preparing the deck for staining with UV Plus.

Maintenance

All exterior surfaces collect dirt, dust and contaminants. It is necessary to clean them periodically to keep them looking good. We suggest using a mild solution of Messmer’s Wood and Deck Part A Wood Cleaner as needed for periodic maintenance cleaning. For information on cleaning a deck, see the following link: Clean and Maintain a Wood Deck.